Practice Summary

James Ruddell has a broad commercial practice. He has experience in complex High Court litigation (from pre-action advice through to trial) across a wide range of Chambers’ practice areas. In arbitration, James has experience in disputes administered pursuant to LCIA, SIAC, UNCITRAL and ad hoc rules, and bringing arbitration claims before the Commercial Court. In addition to his work as part of a larger counsel team, he also acts as sole counsel in litigation / arbitration and has both trial and procedural / CMC advocacy experience. His practice also frequently involves advisory work.

Prior to coming to the English bar, James practised for 2 years as a commercial litigation barrister and solicitor in New Zealand.

Current and recent instructions include:

Deutsche Bank v Unitech (Comm)
Acting (with Sonia Tolaney QC and Adam Sher) for Deutsche Bank in a claim to enforce a swap transaction, which is defended on the basis of alleged misrepresentations and/or implied terms as to suitability and LIBOR manipulation.

Federal Deposit Insurance Company v Barclays & Ors (Comm)
Acting (with Sonia Tolaney QC, Nehali Shah and Owain Draper) for Deutsche Bank in a claim brought by the FDIC against a number of LIBOR panel banks in relation to alleged LIBOR misconduct.

Flyington Freighters Ltd v Airbus SAS & Ors (Comm)
Acted (with Sonia Tolaney QC and Christopher Bond) for Airbus in a $50 million dispute with an Indian freight airline over a sale and purchase agreement for aircraft (settled on the eve of a four-week Commercial Court trial).

SIAC arbitration (Singapore seat)
Acting (with Laurence Rabinowitz QC and others) for an oil and gas company defending a claim for $5.5bn for alleged fraud and breach of warranty under an SPA.

Sir Owen Glenn v Watson & Ors (Ch)
Acted for the Third and Fourth Defendants (led by Anna Boase and later as sole counsel) in respect of claims brought in the Chancery Division arising out of a failed c. £125m joint investment venture. The claims against the Third and Fourth Defendants were based on fraudulent misrepresentation, knowing receipt and tracing.

Tower Trading Group Ltd v Gaunt (QB)
Acting for the Claimant trading platform provider (led by David Cavender QC) in claims against former employees and shareholders for breach of a shareholders’ agreement, obligations of confidence and restrictive covenants.